Research contributions of VUMC nurses highlighted

Nursing research and evidence-based practice at Vanderbilt University Medical Center was on full display Nov. 13 at the annual Nursing Research Day.

“Research Day keeps getting better and better because we have such enthusiastic nurses,” said Nancy Wells, D.N.Sc., R.N., director of nursing research. “Nurses always have to be questioning why they do things, and today is great way to show off that work.”

Research Day included two keynote addresses. Anne Miller, Ph.D., assistant professor at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, presented “Change: Building Resilient Healthcare Systems.” Belinda Mandrell, Ph.D., R.N., director of the Division of Nursing Research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, presented “The Road From Concept to Practice.”

The day also featured nine breakout sessions on topics ranging from acute pain management to hand hygiene to medical play for children, and 21 poster presentations.

Wura Adesinasi, MSN, R.N., RNFA, presented the poster “Prevention of Pressure Ulcer Related to Surgical Prone Positioning,” an eight-month investigation of 64 neurosurgical patients. She found that foam pads (Mepilex) placed under the chest and iliac crests resulted in a post-op skin assessment of no issues or just redness in 90 percent of patients.

Nancy Wells, D.N.Sc., R.N., director of nursing research at VUMC, left, with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Belinda Mandrell, Ph.D., R.N., one of Nursing Research Day’s two keynote speakers. (photo by Joe Howell)

“I love that number!” Adesinasi said. “I was able to get the charge nurse to include the foam pads in our bucket of supplies so nurses don’t have to hunt for it and know to use it each time to help prevent pressure ulcers. This research has been a great eye-opener for me to work with others and find better solutions for our patients.”

Cathy Lee, R.N., presented the poster “Implementation of Onsite Unit Specific Based Educational Program.” She was inspired to do the research after an expansion of the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) from 22 to 36 beds resulted in an influx of nurses new to post-operative care.

She polled nurses to find the most desirable time for education sessions and the specific topics needed. Nurses scored 60 percent on a pre-test before the sessions and reached 90 percent after the education.

Lee also presented this research at the International Conference for PeriAnaesthesia Nurses in Ireland.